A principal at a private school in Ocala, Florida, was arrested for allegedly attacking a student in a classroom for over an hour. Dontay “Donnie” Akeem Prophet, the principal of Destiny Leadership Academy, was charged with aggravated child abuse and false imprisonment of a child under 13. Surveillance footage showed Prophet preventing a 13-year-old boy from leaving the classroom, hitting him with a computer charger, throwing him on the floor, using a chokehold, and physically abusing him. The boy was able to leave the classroom and his teacher reported the incident to the school secretary.
The incident, which took place on May 10, was reported to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, who responded to the call at the school. The investigation revealed the extent of the abuse, with Prophet allegedly twisting the child’s ankle, slapping him in the face, and restraining him on the ground. The deputy who reviewed the surveillance footage reported seeing the abuse taking place over a span of an hour, with Prophet preventing the child from leaving the classroom and using a charging cable to hit him.
Prophet claimed he was attempting to prevent harm to the child when questioned by the responding deputy, but the evidence told a different story. He was arrested and held without bond at the Marion County Jail. The Destiny Leadership Academy did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital, but the school reportedly fired Prophet after the incident. Court records showed that Prophet had been arrested in 2019 on molestation charges from a 2017 incident, but the charges were dropped, and he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and probation for interfering with child custody.
The incident involving Prophet and the student has raised concerns about safety and proper treatment of children in schools. The principal’s actions in allegedly physically abusing a student for an extended period of time have sparked outrage and led to his arrest. It remains to be seen what further actions will be taken in response to the incident, both within the school and from law enforcement. The Destiny Leadership Academy is facing scrutiny for its handling of the situation and will need to address the issue to ensure the safety and well-being of its students moving forward.
Authorities are investigating the incident and working to ensure that justice is served in response to the allegations against Prophet. The use of surveillance footage in the case highlights the importance of having security measures in place to monitor and prevent abuse in educational settings. The impact of such incidents on students, families, and communities cannot be overstated, underscoring the need for vigilance and accountability in protecting children from harm. Schools must prioritize the safety and welfare of their students to create a positive and nurturing environment for learning and growth.
